Liquid dispensing apparatus



May 20, 1941. 1:.l s. wlLLsoN LIQUID DISPENSING' APPARATUS 2Sheets-Sheen?. l

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:inventor 04u/o6? Wma-wv, B r

attorney May 20, 1941. D. s. w|| soN l I LIQUID DISPENSING APPARTU'SFiled sept. '1, 1959 2- sheets-sheet 2 mventor Patented May 20, 194,1

2,242r714 LIQUID DISPEN SING APPARATUS David S. Willson, MuskegonHeights, Mich., as-

signor to John Wood Manufacturing Company, Inc., Conshohocken, Pa., acorporation of Dela- Ware Application september 7, 1939, serien No.293,660v

l 1a claims. (ci. 10a-5) My invention relates to apparatus which may beemployed in dispensing gasoline, wherein entrained air is separated fromthe liquid to be dispensed, during the dispensing operation, andeliminated from the apparatus into the surrounding atmosphere. ^Myinvention may be conveniently embodied in apparatus of the type known tothe trade as a curbstand, contain- 'A dmoruy employed in suon nquiddispensingapparatus.,v

In the form fof my invention chosen for illustration, it may benecessary to prime the pump with liquid and, thereafter, the positivedisplacement pump initially lifts the liquid from the underground tankand discharges it into a cavity between that pump and the centrifugalpump, and the latter eiiects the separation of the lighter uid from theliquid, which lighter fluid is rst has permitted the hose valve to closet0 stop the dispensing operation. When said by-.pass valve is thusopened, continued operation of the pumps merely idly circulates theliquid in the pump casing. t

My invention includes the various novel features of construction andlarrangement hereinafter morev denitely specied.

In said drawings, Fig. I is a somewhat diagrammatic vertical sectionalview of a convenient embodiment, of my invention, wherein an integralpump casing, conveniently 'formed of several separable members, inclosesboth pumps.

Fig. II is a cross sectional view of the structure vshovvlnrin Fig; I,taken on the line 1I, II in the diirectipn of the arrows on said line.

Fig.'III is a cross sectional view of the structure shown in Fig. I,taken on the line III, IlI in the direction of the arrows on said line.

Fiss. IV and V are vertical sectional views of respectively diierentmodied forms of the centrifugal rotor.

Member I of thel pump casing has ,the liquid supply inlet 2 convenientlyconnected with the subjacent reservoir tank of liquid by a conduit,which has at the lower end of it a check valve which opens upward uponoperation of the pump,

discharged into an expansion chamber and Said valve pumps upon a singleshaft conveniently adapted to be rotated by an electric motor.l linewhich may accumulate in the expansion chamber due to condensation ofgasoline vapor Any gasoor which may accumulate in said expansion1chamber by reason of expansion of the gasoline in the pumping systemwhen the pump Jis idle, is drawn into the centrifugal `pump when thelatter is rotated and is discharged into the reof the centrifugal pump,as ishe'reinafter eirplained'. Said receiving chamber is connected 'butis normally closed to retain the liquid in said conduit. As such conduitand valve are ordinarily employed in connection with liquid dispensingapparatus, they are not illustrated. Said casing member I has the bea 3for the rotary pump shaft 4 conveniently` fprovided with the coupling 6for connection with the motor shaft 8. Said bearing 3 forms a box forthe packing l* which is retained by the packing boxnut 3P. Said pumpshaft 4 has rigidly connected therewith the positive displacement pumprotor! which is of` the gear type and seated in the recess 9 in saidcasing member I, in mesh with the other gear element Il of the positivedisplacement pump, winch latter is journaled to rotate idly in saidrecess 9 on the stud shaft Il whiclfis ilxed at ,its lower end in midleasing memberl.

said easing member Ines' ure intake duet l2 -leading fromosaid inlet 2to said gears 8 and Il. ceiving chamber connectedwith the discharge '12-in um easing member I which is o. dm-

Liquid ls drawn around between the gears and therecess t, and at thepoint where the'gears mesh the liquid Is'squeezed out throush^the portphragm plate formingy a cover for said recess l in the casingmem'ber I.

Said port I2 opens into the cavity Il in the casing member IB betweenthe positive displacement pump and the centrifugal pump rotor which isconveniently formed of themember I6 which is rigidlyconnected with theend of said shaft 4 and carries the hollow rotor vent member I6a Whichis rigidly connected with said rotor member I 6. As shown in Fig. III;said centrifugal rotor member I6 has rigidly connected therewith acircular series of evolute blades Iiih in the space between theperimeters of said rotor members I6 and IIia through which the liquid iscentrifugally discharged into the annular passage I8 formed between saidcasing member I5 and the casing member 20 which is rigidly con nectedtherewith.

As shown in Fig. III; said annular passage I8 opens into the receivingchamber 2| which is inclosed between said casing members I and 20. Saidreceiving chamber has the outlet port 22 communicating with the liquiddispensing outlet 23 opening through said casing member I5. As shown inFig. I, said outlet port 22 is normally closed by the control valve 25under pressure of a spring 26 which bears upon the piston 21 which isrigidly connected with the stem 25a of said valve 25 and is mounted toreciprocate in the spring chamber 2lia in said casing member 20. Thatconstruction and arrangement are such that the liquid centrifugallydischarged from the annular passage I8 into the receiving chamber 2| isnot permitted to escape therefrom through the dispensing outlet 23 untilthe liquid is under such pressure upon' the piston 21 as to compress thespring 26 and open the valve 25 from its seat at the por-t 22.

As shown in Fig. I, the liquid by-pass duct 29 extends from saidreceiving chamber 2| back through the casing members I5, la, and I incornmunication with the inlet duct I2 on the suction side of thepositive displacement pump. Said duct 29 is normally closed bytheby-pass valve 30 under pressure of the spring 3| which bears upon thepiston 32 which is rigidly connected with the stem 3|)HL of said valveand is mounted to reciprocate in the spring chamber 34 in sai casingmember 20.

Said casing member 20 forms the expansion chamber 35 which iscontinually in communication with the hollow interior of the centrifugalrotor member I6a to receive the lighter fluid including air and vapor ofthe liquid, separated from the liquid to be dispensed.

I nd it convenient to mount in said chamber 35, rigidly connected withsaid casing member 20, the abutment plate 26a for the spring 26, whichplate forms a slide bearing for the valve stem 25B. Said plate 2li*3Lhas the perforation 26b to permit egress and ingress of fiuid from thespring chamber 20 incident to the reciprocation of the piston 21. I alsomount in said chamber 35 the abutment plate 3|a for' the spring 3|,which plate forms a slide bearing for the valve stem 30B. Said plate 3|ahas the perforation 3|b to permit egress and ingress of fluid from thespring chamber 34 incident to the reciprocation of the piston 32,

The casing member 31 forms a closure for said expansion chamber 35, buthas the vent 31a leading from said casing to the outer atmosphere. I ndit convenient -to provide said vent with the centrifugal pump rotor thatif it were entirely filled with liquid it would have a greater deliverycapacity than the delivery capacity of the positive displacement pumpwhich operates at the same speed. For instance, it has been founddesirable. to have a maximum delivery capacity of the centrifugal pumpapproximately 1.2 to 1.3 times the capacity of the positive displacementpump, so that the centrifugal rotor is partly filled with air duringoperation. While operating, the liquid is thrown to the outer walls ofthe inclosure of that rotor and the liquid `is discharged into thereceiving chamber under the combined pressures resulting from thepositive displacement pump and the centrifugal pump. The effectiveradius at which the liquid enters the centrifugal pump through thecasing member I5 is greater than the effective radius of the vent at thetop of the centrifugal rotor member I6" and therefore, the centrifugalforce of rotation is effective in preventing the liquid from beingcrowded toward the center of rotation and upward through the rotor vent|6=. The relationship of delivery capacity of the two pumps, togetherwith s aid differencev in centrifugal effects within the centrifugalrotor itself, minimizes the possibility of liquid being delivered outthrough the rotor vent I6. However, liquid which may be contained in theexpansion chamber 35 is pumped out at the next successive operation ofthe pumps when the outlet valve at the end of the hose is opened by theoperator to permit dispensation of the liquid.

Althoughapparatus constructed as illustrated herein is satisfactorilyoperative; a stand pipe may be provided connected with the cavity in thecasing member I5 below the centrifugal rotor I6, to maintain a gravityhead to deliver liquid to the centrifugal rotor, with the effect floatvalve 38 operatively connected with the that the pressure built up bythe centrifugal rotor when the outlet valve is closed is automaticallymaintained by the operation of the'centrifugal pump. If such a standpipe is provided, it would be desirable to have a suitable receivingchamber at the top thereof with a return valve duct which would returnthe liquidv back to the suction side of the positive displacement pumpin the same manner as the by-pass duct 29. Furthermore, the centrifugalpump may also be designed to produce less pumping capacity than theVpositive displacement pump and thus a small amount of liquid may beforced out of the rotor vent I6 with the lighter fluid. In such'anarrangement it would be desirable to provide a float-operated valve inthe lower portion of chamber 35 to return the liquid through a suitableconduit to the suction side of the positive displacement pump and thusprevent the liquid level from rising above` a predetermined level duringnormal operation.

Although I have found it convenient to employ a positive displacementpump of the twin gear type illustrated; any other suitable form ofdisplacement pump may be employed in association with a centrifugal pumpto effect such two-stage operation as herein contemplated; to wit, afirst stage in which the displacement pump merelyl progresses the liquidwithout eliminating lighter fluids therefrom, and in the second stagethe centrifugal pump effects both the separation and elimination of thelighter fluids from the lioiirl.

Fig. IV shows a vertical sectional view of a form ofl centrifugal rotordifferent from that shown inl Fig. I in that the radial partitions inthe liquid inlet thereof extend above the evolute For instance, the twopumps may be of the'same blades I6d instead of merging with the innerends of such blades, and the blades and said partitions are cast inunitary relation with the upper rotor member i6 of the rotor.

Fig. V shows a vertical sectional view of a' 5 centrifugal rotordiffering from the others above described in that the radial partitionsin' the by-pass, and of two pumps connected in series, `and callattention to several distinctive characteristics of my invention: First,a pump of the positive displacement type, such as is shown -in Fig. II,which continually prevents direct com- 20 munication between the liquidsupply inlet 2 and the port i2 leading to the centrifugal pump.

Second, a displacement pump of the type which positively controls' andlimits the passage of all the uid mixture which is supplied to thecentrifugal pump. Third, the positive displacement pump has no functionof. separating the liquid and lighter uids of the mixture. Fourth, suchseparating function is performed solely by a single centrifugal pumprotor. y Fifth, that single centrifugal rotor also solely` effects theforcible elimination of the lighter uids from the apparatus. Sixth,liquid gasoline is dispensed by f progressing it in two distinct stepsor stages,- whereby the separation of the lighter u'ids is 35facilitated by the continual formation of an attenuated vapor space incoaxial relation with the centrifugal rotor separator.

Moreover, that method of dispensation may be effected by other meansthan two pumps of 40 different capacity rigidly connected with the samerotary shaft, and consequently operated-at the same speed, as in theapparatus illustrated.

capacity but operated at different speeds.

However,` I do not desire to limit myself to the precise details ofconstruction, arrangement, or method of operation herein set forth, asit is `obvious that various modifications may be made therein, withoutdeparting V-from the essential 50 features of my invention, as definedin the appended claims.

I claim: V

1. The combination with a pump casing in- `closing a pump chamber havinga liquid supply 55 `ually preventing communication between said liquidsupply inlet and liquid dispensing outlet, and limiting andcontrollingthe of uid from said inlet to said outlet by its'operation;65

a centrifugal pump including a rotorvimpeller which receives only fluiddischarged` from said rst pump lin said casing and is adapted toseparate the liquid from the lighter fluids inT the mixture from thepositive displacement pump and forcibly discharge the liquid toward saidliquid dispensing outlet and the lighter fluids toward said vent; anannular passage for liquid in registry with the perimeter of saidcentrifugal rotor; a receiving chamber in said casing 75 incommunication with said passage; a port in said receiving chamberleading to said dispensing outlet; a/)spring pressed control valvenorally closing said port; a piston-connected with id control valve, ofgreater area than the latter, adapted to open said control valve whenthe uid pressure in said receiving chamber is sufcient to overcome thestress of the valve closing spring. e

2. A structure as in claim l; including an expansion chamber in saidcasing in communica-l tion with an axial discharge outlet from said'centrifugal rotor and having a vent to the atmosphere for the lighteruids separatedI from the liquid solely bythe rotary impeller of thecentrifugal pump.

3. A structure as in claim 1=; wherein the centrifugal impeller rotor ishollow, formed of v two separate and distinct hollow members in axiallyspaced relation .at their perimeters andl having evolute impeller bladesrigidly held between theml l 4. A structure as in claim l; whereinrotors of both the positive displacement pump and the centrifugal pumpare rigidly connected with the same driving shaft.

6. The combination with a. pump casing inclosing a pump chamber having aliquid supply inlet and a liquid dispensing outlet and a vent to theouter atmosphere from the upper portion of said casing for the escape oflighter fluids including air and vapor of said liquid; of a positive-displacement pump mounted to rotate in the Vlower portion of saidcasing and continually preventing communication between said liquidsupply inlet and liquid dispensing outlet, and limiting and controllingthe passage of fluid from said inlet to said outlet by its operation; acentrifugal pump including a rotor impeller which receives only uiddischarged from said irst pump' in said casing and is adapted toseparate the liquid from the lighter uidsV in the mixture from thepositive displacement pump andl forcibly discharge the liquid towardsaid liquid dispensing outlet and the lighter fluids toward said vent;an annular passage for liquid in registry with the perimeter of saidcentrifugal rotor; and a duct leading from said annular passage tosaidliquid dispensing outlet. it i y '7. The combination with a pump casinginclosing a pump chamber having a liquid supply inlet and a liquiddispensing outlet and a. vent tothe outer atmosphere from said casingfor the escape of lighter fluids including air and vapor of said liquid;of two pumps, each includlngarotor; said. rotors being successivelyoperative vupon mixture of liquid and lighteriiuids received throughsaid inlet, but the rst pump'operative uponsaid mixture arranged tocontinually prevent communication between said liquid supply inlet andliquid dispensing outlet limiting and controlling the passage of fluidfrom saidinlet to said outlet by its operation; a single shaft rigidlyconnecting said rotors in axially spaced relation in said casgng; andducts in said casing leading from said liquid supply inlet to the firstpump and from the discharge side of the first pump to the inlet side ofthe second pump; and a duct in said casing leading from the dischargeside of said second pump to said liquid dispensing outlet; whereby theliquid is progressed in two distinct stages by the respective pumps;wherein the second pump is centrifugal and of greater volumetriccapacity than the first pump; whereby lighter fluid included in ltheliquid received by the second pump from the first pump is eliminated bythe second pump and discharged to said vent, even when the liquiddischarge outlet is closed.

8. The combination with a pump casing inclosing a pump chamber having aliquid supply inlet and a liquid dispensing outlet and a ventl to theouter-atmosphere from said casing for the escape of lighter fluidsincluding air and vapor of said liquid; of two pumps, each including arotor; said rotors being successively operative upon mixture of liquidand lighter fluids received through said inlet, but the first pumpoperative upon said mixture arranged to continually preventcommunication between said liquid supply inlet and liquid dispensingoutlet limiting and controlling the passage of fluid from said inlet tosaid outlet b'y its operation;

a single shaft rigidly connecting said rotors in axially spaced relationin said casing; and ducts in said casing leading from said liquid supplyinlet to the first pump and from the discharge side of the first pump tothe inlet side of the second pump; and a duct in said casing leadingfrom fthe discharge side of said second pump to said liquid dispensingoutlet; whereby the liquid is progressed in two distinct stages by therespective pumps; wherein the second pump is of greater volumetriccapacity than the first pump; and means in said second pump rotor forseparating out lighter fluids, including air and vapor of said liquid,frim the liquid before it is discharged by said second pump; wherebylmhter fluid included in the liquid received by the second pump from thefirst pump is eliminated by the second pump and discharged to said vent.

A9. In liquid dispensing apparatus; a hollow centrifugal rotor formed'of -two primarily separate hollow members, axially opposed in coaxialrelation with their circular perimeters in axially spaced relation; thehollow interior of said rotor being of much greater axial extent at itsaxis than at its perimeter, and one being of greater axial extent at itsaxis than the other and having a single outlet, vent at its axis forlighter fluids; the other of said members having an axial shaft, wherebythe rotor is turned, and having a liquid inlet in eccentric relation toits axis; and a series of evolute blades between said rotor members inrigid relation with both; whereby, upon rotation of said rotor by itsshaft, liquid introduced to the hollow interior thereof through saideccentric inlet is immediately thrown to the perimeter of the rotor anddischarged through the perimetral openings between said evolute blades,with the eil'ect of separating lighter fluids theretofore occluded andentrained in said liquid and permitting such lighter fluids to escapethrough said axial vent outlet.

10. A structure as in claim 9; wherein the evolute blades are cast inunitary relation with the rotor member having the axial shaft; and thereis a circular series of liquid inlets eccentric to the axis of saidshaft respectively extending through that rotor member between adjoiningevolute blades.

11. A structure as in claim 9; wherein the rotor member having `theaxial outlet vent for lighter fluids is conical and has said outlet atits apex.

l2. The combination with a pump casing inclosing a pump chamber having amain liquid supply inlet connected to a source of supply of liquid anda, main liquid dispensing outlet and a vent to the outer atmosphere fromsaid casing for the escape of lighter fluids'including air and vapor ofsaid liquid; of a positive displacement pump for withdrawing liquid fromthe source of supply and discharging said liquid to lthe inlet side of acentrifugal pump and continually preventing communication between saidliquid supply inlet and liquid dispensing outlet, and limiting andcontrolling the passage of iluid from said inlet to said outlet by itsoperation; a centrifugal pump including a rotor impeller having an inletfor fluid discharged from said first pump and a discharge outletconnected with s'aid main liquid dispensing outlet; and means in saidrotor impeller for separating out lighter fluids, including air andvapor of said liquid, from the liquid before it is discharged by saidcentrifugal pump; whereby said positive displacement pump functionssolely to progress mixture of liquid and lighter fluids received throughsaid supply inlet, without separating them, and such separation iseffected solely by the operation of said centrifugal pump.

13. The combination with a pump casing inclosing a, pump chamber havinga main liquid supply inlet connected to a source of supply of liquid anda main liquid dispensing outlet and a vent to the outer atmosphere fromsaid casing for the escape of lighter fluids including air and vapor ofsaid liquid; of a positive displacement pump functioning solely forwithdrawing liquid from the source of supply and discharging said liquidto the inlet side of a. centrifugal pump; a centrifugal pump including arotor impeller having an inlet for fluid discharged from said ilrst pumpand a discharge outlet connected with said main liquid dispensingoutlet; means preventing inlet of liquid to said second pump, exceptfrom said first pump; and means in said rotor impeller for separatingout lighter fluids, including air and vapor of said liquid, from theliquid before it is discharged by said centrifugal 4pump and fordischarging said lighter fluids to said vent.

DAVID S. WILISON.

